Deuteronomy 31:1 And Moses went and spoke אֶת־ these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, I am 120 years old this day; I cannot go out and come in anymore: and ויהוה said to me, You will not cross over אֶת־ the Jordan this day. C-MATS
Question: Why did Moses say “I am 120 years old this day”? Today my days and years were fulfilled; on this day I was born (Moses’ birthday), and on this day I shall die… This is to teach us that יהוה fulfills the years of the righteous to the day and to the month, as it is written (Exodus 23:26): “אֶת־ the number of your days I will fulfill (You will live out the full span of your lives).” Chumash
Question: What does it mean by “I cannot go out and come in anymore”? Did this mean physically he was too old to go into the Promised Land? Scripture states regarding Moses, “And Moses was 120 years old when he died: his eyes were undimmed and his vigor undiminished.” (Deuteronomy 34:7), which teaches us that his powers were intact even on the day of his passing. So what then is the meaning of “I cannot go out”? Here it means: “I am not permitted,” because authority was taken from him and granted to Joshua. Chumash
Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I have brought them into the land, which I swore to their fathers that flows with milk and honey; and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat; then they will turn to other gods and serve them and provoke Me and break אֶת־ My covenant. C-MATS
Question: Why did the Israelites turn to other gods in times of abundance? Should this be a warning for us? They will eat and be satisfied, and live on the fat of the land-have abundance. We should seek יהוה with all our heart even in times of abundance to insure that we never turn away from Him. Chumash
Deuteronomy 31:21 הַזֹּאת This song will testify against them as a witness after many evils and troubles have come upon אֹתֹו them (him); because it will still be recited by their descendants and they will not have forgotten it: because I know אֶת־ their imagination even now before I brought them into the land which I swore. C-MATS
Question: What promise does יהוה give to His people? Despite the starkness of the prophecy that Israel will slide into sin and make יהוה angry, there is this comforting promise that the Torah will never be completely forgotten (Rashi). History shows over and over again that there was a revival of Torah study after times when it seemed as if its decline was irreversible. Chumash